Arsenal Star Hits Out At VAR Inconsistency Over Arsenal And Manchester City Penalties
The Gunners were at the centre of VAR and referee controversies as Rodri's last minute winner condemned the Gunners to an undeserved defeat.
Arsenal star Aaron Ramsdale wasn't happy with VAR, after Stuart Attwell was sent to the monitor for Manchester City's penalty claim but not the Gunners'.
Arsenal were extremely unlucky on Saturday afternoon, as they played so well for so long against Premier League leaders City, looked to be getting a point, and lost right at the end.
Mikel Arteta's side, without their manager on the sidelines due to Covid, took the lead in the first half but were denied a great chance at a goal, when Martin Odegaard was brought down by Ederson in the box but the referee believed the keeper won the ball, as did VAR.
City's equaliser came from the penalty spot, when Granit Xhaka brought down Bernardo Silva. Once again referee Attwell didn't give a spot kick, but this time he was sent to the screen to check his decision, and soon overturned it.
Whilst there was a question about if the decision should have been overturned, it was the inconsistency in the ref being sent to the monitor that particularly annoyed Ramsdale.
"Both penalties, I don't know why the ref is told to see one and not the other," Ramsdale said after full time.
"It’s there for a reason, go and use it. It’s the inconsistency.
"The whole point is to help the game out, in real time it didn't look like one and slow it down on a screen and it’s given."
City's penalty came with extra controversy as Gabriel picked up a yellow card for scuffing up the penalty spot, before Riyad Mahrez made it 1-1.
In a crazy few minutes, Gabriel was soon handed a second yellow, and an early bath, for bringing down Gabriel Jesus on the half way line.
It looked for all the world as if the Gunners were going to be able to hold their visitors to a draw until Rodri scored a winner deep into injury time.
After the match Guardiola, who was relaxed enough to wish everyone a Happy New Year before kick off, was complimentary of their hosts.
The City boss admitted that Arsenal should have won saying, "They were better. Arsenal were better today."
That's unlikely to come as much of a boost to Arsenal though...
Featured Image Credit: BT SportTopics: Aaron Ramsdale, Arsenal, Manchester City, Premier League, VAR
Ryan Sidle